[1] To promote the new train, KCS held a beauty contest to find "Miss Southern Belle," a young woman whose image would be used in advertising materials systemwide.

[2][9] On April 29, 1953, heavy rainfall washed out a section of track near Montgomery, Louisiana, causing five cars of the train to derail.

The KCS rebuilt five heavyweight Pullman sleepers for use on the Southern Belle, making them look like their lightweight counterparts and increasing the number of double bedrooms in each.

In 1941, car Barksdale (formerly McAllisterville) was added to the train's operation when Pullman service was extended from Shreveport to Kansas City.

Spartian interiors, which greatly simplified servicing, included tile floors, vinyl seating, dark green tinted windows which eliminated the need for window shades, and fixed vestibule steps, were among the cost saving features that were found the new 1965 coaches, as well as the older coaches remaining in service, and in all the ex-NYC observation cafe cars.

KCS wisely recognized the need to keep costs to a minimum, while continuing to provide a high level of service that was satisfactory to the remaining patrons.

Good Cheer has been preserved by the Gulf Coast Chapter NRHS, which displays the car at the Houston Railroad Museum.

The locomotive #4 was also removed from service, and later renumbered 34 and donated to the Kansas City Union Station Rail Experience.